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(The following report by Patrick Driscoll appeared on the San Antonio Express-News website on January 31.)

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Union Pacific, whose safety image was clobbered by a series of serious train accidents this year in San Antonio, plans to spend $54 million next year to build and repair railroad tracks in the area.

But the expenditures are not a reaction to the accidents, which claimed five lives, spewed toxins, and launched a federal investigation, company officials said.

“This is our annual spending for the area,” spokesman Mark Davis said.

Half the money will be used to add tracks to handle increasing freight traffic in San Antonio, which now sees 60 to 70 trains a day.

Projects include a bridge and track leading to the planned Toyota factory on the South Side, a new line into the rail yard near Kirby, and new tracks inside the yard near KellyUSA.

Work is expected to be completed in 2005.

UP also plans to upgrade tracks in an ongoing renovation of its 33,000-mile system. That will include improvements on tracks into City Public Service’s power plant and a line from downtown to rock quarries near Loop 1604 — jobs due to be finished in February — and tracks in all three local rail yards.

The work is needed to ensure the smooth flow of rail traffic, Union Pacific officials said.

“Our investments in track are essential for Union Pacific to operate safely in the community,” said Shane Keller, UP’s superintendent in San Antonio.

A Federal Railroad Administration probe of several crashes in San Antonio cited concerns about UP being understaffed and not properly supervising workers.

In wrecks that occurred in May and June, the FRA suspects train crews failed to observe or obey signals along tracks. Fatigue may have played a part in both instances.

Vandalism was blamed in a September incident.

UP officials say they have not ignored the findings or the hue and cry from local officials.

The company recently replaced the local superintendent with Keller, added workers, increased training, and opened a one-year safety command center.

Also, an agreement with FRA was signed last month in which UP promised to re-instruct managers in San Antonio and monitor progress of field testing of workers each month.